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House votes to provide protection to phone firms
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Issue
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| Contributor | Scott³ |
| Last Edited | Scott³ Jun 20, 2008 08:35pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - Washington Post |
| News Date | Saturday, June 21, 2008 02:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Washington Post.
"The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Friday that could shield phone companies from billions of dollars in lawsuits for their participation in the warrantless surveillance program begun by President George W. Bush after the September 11 attacks.
The White House-backed, compromise measure -- which triggered a firestorm of opposition from civil liberties groups -- would also overhaul U.S. spy powers and replace a temporary surveillance law that expired in February.
The Senate is expected to give the bill final approval next week with the help of the two major presidential contenders -- Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama -- clearing the way for Bush to sign it into law.
"It will help our intelligence professionals learn our enemies' plans for new attacks," Bush said just hours before the House approved the bill, 293-129. "It ensures that those companies whose assistance is necessary to protect the country will themselves be protected from liability."
Democrats faced election-year pressure to pass the bill, fearing failure to do so would let Republicans paint them as weak on security and force them to accept what they saw as a more objectionable Senate version of the legislation.
Besides providing telecommunications companies with a court review of lawsuits, the bill would increase judicial and congressional oversight of U.S. intelligence activities and bolster protection of civil liberties -- but not as much as civil liberties groups and a number of Democrats would like." |
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